Advice on buying eclipse

Hey guys, I need some advice, I am thinking about buying a 98 eclipse GS. I am considering this car because it looks great, has many aftermarket parts available, and sounds like it would make a good daily driver, however, I haven't heard good things about the 420A engine, the specs say 140 hp, and 0-60 in 9 seconds which is about as fast as a minivan, so is this thing gonna feel slow, or just not as fast as the gst? It doesn't have to be the fastest car in town, but I don't want a poser car. Also how well does it respond to aftermarket bolt ons? I read an article in import tuner, where they spent $1100 on bolt ons and only got 6 hp at the rear wheels, which is not encouraging. any advice or experiences from eclipse owners would be appreciated,
thanks
Rob

well... i have a 98 gs and i like it a lot. its not the fastest car in town buy its also not a civic. yes there are a LOT of aftermarket products you can get for it. with the import tuner thing... the power goes to the front wheels, its not rwd just to let you know. yes 6hp for 1100$ doesnt sound to good but double that money will get your car a nice turbo which can add a very significant gain. hope that helps

Can the 420A handle a mild turbo without modifications? I think if I could add 50-60 hp and still be reliable that would be sufficient, but I want the engine to last.
Rob

how about adding 130hp?? stage 2 and you dont really need any mods although aftermarket exhaust is suggested. check it out --> http://www.turbosystem.com/auto/eclipse/eclipse.htm

I would love to add over 100 hp however like I said before, I question the long term reliability of turbocharging and almost doubling the horsepower of an engine not originally built for it. I'm sure it would hande it short term , but what about 25k miles later? I'll consider it as an option, but I want to do all the proper research and I would love to hear from anybody who has had a turboed 420A for a while.
thanks,
Heff

Problem with the 420a is it has very weak internals. Build up the bottom end however & defiantly get yourself a better fuel system & I see no problem with turboing them.

i got a rs eclipse it has a 420a, its a good engine lol, lets just say, im faster than any stock honda (except NSX RSX Integra GSR, Civic SI) lol no honda except the ones listed can beat me, also the SI GSR RSX NSX are also way more expensive than a RS :evillol: i just add 10g to the engine and a 200shot and ill be runnin 10s to low 11s lol

just get a gst or a gsx more horsepower not too much more money